Charles williamson



(No Mod l.)

WILLIAMSON.

ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR FOR WIRE FENCING.

No. 317,908. Patented May 12, 1885.

.NITED STATES Y PATENT Crrrcn.

CHARLES WILLIAMSON, OF WVASl-IINGTON, KANSAS.

ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR FOR WIRE FENCING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,908, dated May 12,1885.

Application filed October 6, 1884. (X model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES WILLIaMsoN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the county of \Vashington and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conductors for Tire Fencing; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a section of wire fencing, showing my improved conductors in position. Figs. 2 and 3 are a sectional and a bottom plan View of the upper point. Figs. 4 and 5 are similar views of the intermediate points, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the groundpoint.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

The object of the present invention is to provide simple, inexpensive, and efficient means of collecting and discharging the electricity with which wire and similar fencing becomes charged,whereby injury of stock and danger to life are obviated.

As wire fencing is now commonly constructed it is a ready collector but poor discharger of electricity; consequently during thunder storms, and at such times when the atmosphere is charged with electricity, there is a great loss of stock in grazing sections, especially the \Vest, from the electricity which accumulates on the wires seeking its way to earth through any cattle which may be along the line of fencing. \Vhere wooden posts are used,which is very common, the wires are substantially insulated,and the danger is greater, and where wrought-iron or cast-iron posts are used the danger is lessened but not removed, as the conductivity of the posts is greatly inadequate.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more fully, so that others skilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same.

In the drawings, A indicates the posts, and a the wires,composing a section of wire fencing, which may be provided with the usual barbs,b. At suitable intervals along the line are arranged conductors O,conneoted with the wires a by collecting-points D and with the earth by a ground-point, E. The conductors C, which may be rods, bars,or strips, and either straight or bifurcated, as preferred, are of copper or other good conductor, and of a size proportionate to the work they have to do. If a large number arranged at short intervals are used, then they may be of much less diameter (or surface) than when a fewer number are employed, and placed at greater intervals, as is well understood. Along the wires are placed the collecting-points D, which not only serve to collect and deliver to the conductor, but may also be made to serve as a means of preserving the contact of the conductor and the fence-wires. These points D have preferably a body or central swell, d, perforated to en compass the rod, and lateral points d, projecting in line with the wire, grooved on the under surface, as at d, to receive the wire and catches d", which may be bent down to hold the wire in the groove (1*. The points D are made of copper or similar metal of good conductive power tipped with platinum or its equivalent. The cap-point (see Figs. 2 and 3) maybe threaded, so as to form a fixed connec tion between the top wire and the conductor, while the rod-hole in the intermediate points (see Figs. 4 and 5) may be smooth, so as to be readily slipped up and down on the rod in adjusting and connecting the conductor and wlre.

E indicates the groundpoint,formed with a head, 0, which facilitates the driving thereof, and a socket, e, or, if preferred, a side slot or open socket for the reception of the lower end of the conductor. \Vhere the conductor 0 is of rod or bar form, the socket will be prefer able, but where the conductor is a strip or ribbon the open side slot may be used, and the point and conductor wired together to prevent displacement.

If desired, the ground-point may be of copper and have a platinum terminal.

In connecting the devices with wire-fencing the ground-point E may be first driven into the ground at the desired point by means of a wooden mallet, the lower end of conductor G inserted in the socket c or otherwise secured to the ground-point, the intermediate lateral collecting-points, D, then slipped on the rod,

moved into position, and secured to the wires with the points (1 in line therewith, the wire being in the groove (Z by bending down the catches d or otherwise, and the cap or top point D finally screwed on the end of the conductor and secured to the top wire, as hereinbefore specified, all of which will firmly and efi'ectively connect the conductor and the fencing. Any or all electricity gathered on the wires will be collected from the several wires by the lateral points and harmlessly discharge through the conductors to the ground.

In addition to the advantages hereinbefore recited, the devices act in arneasure as braces to anchor the fence at points between the posts.

I am aware that where iron posts are employed they in a degree perform the function of conductors; but from their character, position, size, and distance apart they are almost useless. \Vhere cast-iron is used,the conductivity is about sixteen per cent. and the resistance five or six per cent, hard-drawn silver being considered the standard. \Vhere wroughtiron is used,tl1e conductivity is about twenty per cent. and the resistance four to five per cent., while a copper conductor, which is the preferred form of my devices, has a conductivity of from ninety-nine to one hundred per cent., and a resistance of only .98 to one per cent.

I am aware that the air-terminal of a lightning-conductor has been connected, through the ordinary system of intermediate conductors, with the metallic wires pertaining to a fence ofthe character usually termed a barbedwire fence, and that earth terminals and plates have been employed to connect the wires of said fence with the earth at frequent intervals, and do not herein claim the same; but.

Having thus described the nature, operation, and advantages of my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination, with a fence-wire, of a conduetor,and a collecting-point having a slot to receive the conductor and catches for holding the fence-wire, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. An electrical collecting-point having laterally-projecting points, a conductor-slot for receiving a conductor, and a wire-groove for receiving a fence-wire, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination, with a fencing-wire, of a bifurcated conductor, lateral collectingpoints for connecting the wire with the conductor, and a ground-point having a drivinghead and a socket for the reception of the conduetor, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. An electric conducting ground-point having a driving-head and a socket, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature,in presence of two witnesses, this 1st day of 0ctober, 188i.

CHARLES WILLIAMSON.

\Vitnesses:

J. W. EARLY, W. E. SOHILLING. 

